Horseshoe kidney with retrocaval ureter

Anomalous inferior vena cava associated with horseshoe kidney on multidetector computed tomography

We evaluated the prevalence of anomalous inferior vena cava (IVC) associated with 205 patients with horseshoe kidney (HSK) and 1990 patients without HSK on multidetector computed tomography and compared prevalence between both groups. We identified anatomical variations of the IVC in 8 patients (3.9%) with HSK (1 preisthmic IVC with retrocaval ureter, 4 double IVCs, 2 left IVCs, and 1 IVC with azygos continuation) and in 12 patients (0.6%) without HSK (8 double IVCs, 3 left IVCs, and 1 IVC with azygos continuation). Anomalous IVC was significantly more frequent in patients with HSK than those without it.

Retrocaval ureter and associated abnormalities

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of retrocaval ureter with other congenital abnormalities.

METHODS AND PATIENTS

Two new cases of retrocaval ureter are discussed and a detailed electronic search of the literature was mainly focused on the concomitant abnormalities. The first of our patients had also a glandular hypospadias and a supernumerary lumbar vertebra, while the second one had syndactylia (fixed toes) in both feet. Results. The review of the literature revealed that 21% of the cases of retrocaval ureter present with concomitant abnormalities mainly from the cardiovascular system and the genitourinary tract.

CONCLUSION

Diagnosis of retrocaval ureter should increase the awareness of the responsible physician on the possibility of concomitant malformations where treatment could prevent future symptoms.

Horseshoe kidney with a retrocaval ureter

Horseshoe kidney and retrocaval ureter are two uncommon congenital anomalies of the genitourinary system that have rarely been reported to occur in the same patient. In each case previously reported, the isthmus of the horseshoe was positioned posterior to the inferior vena cava and anterior to the aorta. In no case was the diagnosis of both anomalies made preoperatively. We report a case of simultaneous horseshoe kidney and retrocaval ureter diagnosed by preoperative imaging studies and discuss the diagnostic evaluation and surgical management of this rare entity.

Anomalous inferior vena cava associated with horseshoe kidneys

Two cases are presented in which anomalies of the inferior vena cava were associated with horseshoe kidneys. Radiological demonstration of such combined variation is rare, only one case of duplicated inferior vena cava with horseshoe kidney having been found in the literature. The embryological basis for these anomalies is reviewed. A possible explanation for their coexisting occurrence is also speculatively raised.

Congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava: embryogenesis and MR features

This article describes the MR appearances of the six most common congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava. As a basis for understanding those anomalies, it describes the embryology of the inferior vena cava, based on an actual study of embryos and fetuses. The article takes a fresh look at the original research in this area, discusses the possible embryogenesis of the relevant anomalies, and describes different opinions on that subject, where different opinions exist.

Left preureteral vena cava (retrocaval or circumcaval ureter) associated with partial situs inversus

We present a rare case of left preureteral vena cava associated with partial situs inversus. A 68-year-old woman was referred to our clinic for further study of left hydronephrosis on computerized tomography. The abdominal viscera were in mirror image and the heart was levocardia. The middle portion of the left ureter was dorsal to the left inferior vena cava. The left ureter was reanastomosed ventral to the inferior vena cava. To our knowledge, coexistence of preureteral vena cava and partial situs inversus has not been reported previously in the literature.